Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?
To be a doctoral student means to devote oneself to a research project under supervision of experienced researchers and following an individual study plan. For a doctoral degree, the equivalent of four years of full-time doctoral education is required.
The research group
The position is based in Joakim Dahlin’s team at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm Solna. Due to the highly interdisciplinary nature of the project and the position (applied mathematics), the successful candidate will also be an integral part of Johan Karlsson’s group at KTH the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm.
Dahlin’s team works at the intersection between experimental and computational medicine to map blood cell development at the single-cell level. This is performed using state-of-the-art single-cell omics technologies. The team consists of the principal investigator, two experimental scientists (doctoral students), one bioinformatician (postdoc), and one mathematician (doctoral student).
Karlsson’s group is part of the Division of Optimization and Systems Theory within the Department of Mathematics at KTH. Currently, a large focus of the group is to develop methods based on optimal transport for addressing problems in signal processing, control theory, and inverse problems.
The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
By developing novel methods in applied mathematics and computational modeling, this specific project aims to uncover new insights into how blood cells form in both healthy and disease states. A key objective is to model dynamic changes in gene and protein expression as stem cells differentiate into mature blood cell types.
This doctoral project focuses on developing computational methods to model cell development at the single-cell level, using tools from optimal transport, mathematical optimization, and machine learning. In addition to method development, the work includes applying and benchmarking algorithms on both publicly available datasets and in-house generated single-cell data.
The research is performed in an interdisciplinary setting with close collaboration with mathematicians as well as experimental and computational scientists - both nationally and internationally. In addition, the doctoral student will be part of the data-driven life science initiative.
The data-driven life science initiative
Data-driven life science (DDLS) uses data, computational methods and artificial intelligence to study biological systems and processes at all levels, from molecular structures and cellular processes to human health and global ecosystems. The SciLifeLab and Wallenberg National Program for Data-Driven Life Science (DDLS) aims to recruit and train the next generation of data-driven life scientists and to create globally leading computational and data science capabilities in Sweden. The program is funded with a total of 3.3 billion SEK (about 290 MUSD) over 12 years from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg (KAW) Foundation.
In 2025 the DDLS Research School will be expanded with the recruitment of 19 academic and 7 industrial PhD students. During the course of the DDLS program more than 260 PhD students and 200 postdocs will be part of the Research School. The DDLS program has four strategic research areas: cell and molecular biology, evolution and biodiversity, precision medicine and diagnostics, epidemiology and biology of infection. For more information, please see https://www.scilifelab.se/data-driven/ddls-research-school/
The future of life science is data-driven. Will you be part of that change? Then join us in this unique program!
At Karolinska Institutet, we are announcing the position as DDLS PhD student in Data driven cell and molecular biology.
Data driven cell and molecular biology covers research that fundamentally transforms our knowledge about how cells function by peering into their molecular components in time and space, from single molecules to native tissue environments.
What do we offer?
A creative and inspiring environment full of expertise and curiosity. Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. Our vision is to pursue the development of knowledge about life and to promote a better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. As a doctoral student you are offered an individual research project, a well-educated supervisor, a vast range of elective courses and the opportunity to work in a leading research group. Karolinska Institutet collaborates with prominent universities from all around the world, which ensures opportunities for international exchanges. You will be employed on a doctoral studentship which means that you receive a contractual salary. Employees also have access to our modern gym for free and receive reimbursements for medical care.
Eligibility requirements for doctoral education
In order to participate in the selection for a doctoral position, you must meet the following general (A) and specific (B) eligibility requirements at latest by the application deadline.
It is your responsibility to certify eligibility by following the instructions on the web page Entry requirements (eligibility) for doctoral education.
A) General eligibility requirement
You meet the general eligibility requirement for doctoral/third-cycle/PhD education if you:
- have been awarded a second-cycle/advanced/master qualification (i.e. master degree), or
- have satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the advanced/second-cycle/master level, or
- have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.*
Follow the instructions on the web page Entry requirements (eligibility) for doctoral education.
*If you claim equivalent knowledge, follow the instructions on the web page Assessing equivalent knowledge for general eligibility for doctoral education.
B) Specific eligibility requirement
You meet the specific eligibility requirement for doctoral/third-cycle/PhD education if you:
- Show proficiency in English equivalent to the course English B/English 6 at Swedish upper secondary school.
Follow the instructions on the web page English language requirements for doctoral education.
Verification of your documents Karolinska Institutet checks the authenticity of your documents. Karolinska Institutet reserves the right to revoke admission if supporting documents are discovered to be fraudulent. Submission of false documents is a violation of Swedish law and is considered grounds for legal action.
(A) and (B) can only be certified by the documentation requirement for doctoral education.
Skills and personal qualities
A degree in mathematics, applied mathematics, or equivalent is required for the position.
Experience in implementing numerical methods and algorithms, e.g. in Python, Matlab or similar, is required.
A strong motivation to develop mathematical tools for biological and medical applications is required.
Knowledge and demonstrated understanding in optimization and machine learning is meriting.
The successful applicant can independently pursue their work, but also show skills to cooperate within a team. The candidate is organized, curious, and shows ability to analyze complex problems with an open-minded approach.
Terms and conditions
The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship maximum 4 years full-time.
Application process
Submit your application and supporting documents through the Varbi recruitment system. Use the button in the top right corner and follow the instructions. We prefer that your application is written in English, but you can also apply in Swedish.
Your application must contain the following documents:
- A personal letter and a curriculum vitae
- Degree projects and previous publications, if any
- Any other documentation showing the desirable skills and personal qualities described above
- Documents certifying your general eligibility (see A above)
- Documents certifying your specific eligibility (see B above)
Selection
A selection will be made among eligible applicants on the basis of the ability to benefit from doctoral education. The qualifications of the applicants will be evaluated on an overall basis.
Karolinska Institutet uses the following bases of assessment:
- Documented subject knowledge of relevance to the area of research
- Analytical skill
- Other documented knowledge or experience that may be relevant to doctoral studies in the subject.
All applicants will be informed when the recruitment is completed.
https://ki.se/en/research/research-areas-centres-and-networks/research-groups/charting-normal-and-malignant-hematopoiesis-team-joakim-dahlin
Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all
Type of employment: PhD placement
Contract type: Full time
Number of positions: 1
Full-time equivalent: 100
City: Solna
County: Stockholms län
Country: Sweden
Reference number: STÖD 2-1607/2025
Contact: - Joakim Dahlin, [email protected]
Union representative: - Maria Eldh, OFR, [email protected]
- Louisa Cheung, SACO, [email protected]
- Farzad Hedayaty, SACO-s, [email protected]
Published: 2025-04-11
Last application date: 2025-05-18
